Focus Part III

The last couple of post (part 1 and 2) dealt with the crucial success element of focus. In the last one, we dealt with the importance of having long term focus if you want to achieve your goals. Here we are going to look at the need to remain focused in the short term.

Productivity is the ability to get things done. It is that simple. Focus is the quality which enables us to do that. We need to focus upon a particular task until it is completed. Remember, the world rewards for things that are finished. Maintaining our present concentration is vital to our success rate.

It is easy to get distracted, especially in the short term. Each day, there are lots of interruptions which will take us away from our present task. Having the ability to block all the "noise" out is what enables you to enjoy the success of the highest achievers.

One of the most powerful techniques to increasing your productivity is the utilization of a "to do" list. This simple tool is overlooked by the masses yet is common among the highest achievers. They know the value of being in control of one's focus.

When I write out my "to do" list, I am setting forth my objectives for the day. This is a basic form of goal setting. Once I have my list set down, I know where I am to focus my attention. Each task is listed in front of me. As my day progresses, I can see what it still left unresolved. This enables me to concentrate on those areas.

Another benefit to this technique is the ability to refocus when I am distracted. Certainly, there are times when we need to drop what we are doing to take care of something more pressing. This is true no matter what aspect of life we are referring to. However, having a list permits me to return my focus to the proper area when the "emergency" is taken care of. Too many waste time trying to determine where they left off.

Controlling our short term focus is the most important skill for daily success. If you watch the top producers in any field, they are the ones who spend the majority of their time on the most important activities. Those who produce the least tend to be the ones who are walking around aimlessly. It is the time spent managing the focus which separates the two.
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Focus Part II

I wrote another piece about the importance of focus. To me, this is the single most important element that determines your success. Without the ability to focus it is doubtful you will ever achieve your desired results.

There are two areas that focus pertains to: long term and short term situations. Both require the ability to have a singleness of purpose. The only difference between them is the time required that the concentration is needed.

We all have goals. Many of us went through the exercise of breaking these goals down into manageable parts, usually 90 days. I would say this is common among all students of self improvement.

Here is my question: have you ever opened a notebook and found your 90 days goals left untouched? What was the results of your efforts over the time period? Most likely, most of the list was left incomplete. The reason is you lost focus. Your goal list was put out of sight, thus putting it's contents out of your mind. It is easy to get distracted when you follow this pattern.

I will give an example of where long term focus is shown. Consider the athlete who suffers a season ending injury. Often, this requires surgery and extensive rehabilitation. Once the athlete begins his/her rehab assignment, nothing else is thought about other than returning to the playing field (court). This person is not distracted away from the overriding goal. His or her focus is on that single objective.

Contrast that with the 90 day list you wrote and put away. Many of the items were not even considered since the time they were written on the list. You did not spend one second focusing upon that task again. This is an example where your inability to focus long term on a specific outcome creates less than desirable results.

In the future, if you do set down 90 day goals (which I suggest), keep them where you can see them. Choose a couple to focus upon exclusively. Make them your overriding objective just like the above mentioned athlete. You will see how just the habit of focus will enable you to accomplish incredible things.
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Focus

Do you ever feel like you are all over the place? I know this is something that I struggle with quite often. My mind has a tendency to drift while taking my focus along with it. For years, I battled the habit of bouncing from one project to the next. This led me to create lackluster results. Contained in this situation is a valuable lesson which I can attribute much of my success to.

Focus is one of the main components of success. Many will mention the importance of persistence, goal setting, and self confidence as factors for their accomplishments. While these are are crucial components, I found that focus is the single quality which will instantly separate one from all others.

I mentioned in the past that the world pays for completion. We do not value someone who accomplishes part of the job. Sports is an example of how this is present. The team that leads the game for three quarters does not receive a partial victory. It is the one that is leading at the end which is rewarded. The same is true in business. Your company will not give you a promotion based upon how many projects you started. It is the number of projects completed which is how one is judged.

How can this apply to your immediate situation? The best way to cultivate this habit is to focus on whatever it is that you are working on. Since it is reading this article, complete it before doing anything else. Successful people have the ability to maintain their concentration until the task is completed. This is your challenge now.

Take this approach in all that you do. For the rest of the day, do not leave anything incomplete. If you start it, finish it. Ignore all the distractions which will take you away from what you are doing. Developing this habit is one of the most powerful things that you can do. It will immediately send your productivity through the roof.
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There Is A Silver Lining

We all heard that the world is coming to an end; at least that is the impression we get economically. Each day the market slides another couple hundred points. This means that millions of people's retirement accounts are being washed away. Bank failures are surely to follow since the actions of the government are having little effect. Overall, it sucks right now.

But does it really? It is true that the circumstances are difficult on many fronts. However, of all that is going on, what is really within your control? How much has your life changed? If you are one who is seeking to retire soon or lost your job, this is certainly a tough situation. Yet, for most of us, what is the real impact on our daily affairs? When one really considers it, there is little that changed.

Let us look at housing. The odds are great that your home is worth less than it was a year ago. Most people are facing this reality. The housing market is in terrible shape with sales at historic lows. Nevertheless, this is not a problem for most since they are not looking to sell at the moment. Only those who are trying to move a house are feeling the change in the market. Those who are making their mortgage payments each month realize little difference.

The same is true for the retirement accounts. It is horrible to see people lose trillions of dollars over the course of a year. Yet again, unless you are at retirement age, you are not affected by this. A person who is 40 cannot touch a retirement account until the age of 59. Therefore, the downturn is an advantage to those who put in a portion of each check. Your regular contribution will now buy more shares than it did just a few weeks ago. This is to your benefit. Sure, it looks awful on paper when you compare it to where it was. However, try to view it in terms of the number of shares that you have. This viewpoint allows you to see how your account is actually expanding.

Markets recover with time. It might take a decade but it will come back. Focusing upon this does little to solve our situation. These are things which we have no control over. We are better served to concentrate on those factors we can affect. Each day, we are confronted with a choice: sulk about how bad things are or make the most of the day. Attending to those situations which have an immediate impact upon our lives is what helps us overcome the macro circumstances.

With each dark cloud there is a silver lining. This sounds like a bunch of garbage to many. Yet the above example about the retirement fund shows how our outlook dictates our success. Most choose to focus upon the issues which have little immediate impact on their lives.

Over the past few months, my retirement fund is down over 40%. Nevertheless, my fund is growing every couple of weeks when I contribute. The dollar value shrunk but my shares increase. Also, this horrible economic news is leading to a worldwide recession. Because of this, the price of oil plunged from all-time highs. This led to a reduction in the price I pay for gasoline. The fact that a gallon of fuel is now 75 cents cheaper impacts me more than a failed bank in the Midwest. This is the silver lining in all of this.

Why do I mention all of this? The reason is because it is easy to fall into the "Chicken Little Syndrome". Things are tough, there is no question about that. Yet there are opportunities available if you are of the frame of mind to take advantage of them. Looking at the current circumstances differently is the starting point for this. There is a silver lining if you are willing to look for it.
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9 Ways To Improve Your Life

1. Give more than anyone asks or expects. Become a person who goes the extra mile in all that you do. Look at each situation and determine what extra you will provide. Give without expecting anything in return, including acknowledgment from others.

2. Ease up. The old saying “someday we will laugh about this” epitomizes how unimportant many things are in the grand scheme of things. Reduce the stress by remembering that everything will work out alright. Look at each situation as an opportunity to learn and grow while remembering to laugh.

3. Master you habits. Your habits are either empowering or disempowering. Determine the habits that adversely affect you then begin the process of eliminating them.

4. Examine your closest influences. We are all products of our environment. Everyone around us has input into our personalities, beliefs, and ideals. Make sure that those who are closest to you are assisting in moving you forward rather than prohibiting your progress.

5. Entertain the child within. Remember to take time to do that which you love. Too often we get focused on the drive to move ahead that we forget to engage the child within. Recharge you batteries by spending regular time doing what you are passionate about.

6. Resolve your unfinished business. Activities left unresolved have the ability to drain a great deal of energy out of us. Reclaim this energy by cleaning up all the old business and putting it to rest. Pay the old debts, discard old things, and tie up all other loose ends.

7. Focus. Focus. Focus. Get rid of the sloppiness in life by placing extra focus upon all that you do. Develop the habit of doing one thing at a time until it is completed. Pay attention to the details that make a difference.

8. Spend time creating your life. Most people allow circumstances to dictate the type of life they lead. Set aside each day to ponder what type of life that you want to live. Consider your dreams, traits that you want, and what you would like to contribute. Become proactive in the creation of your own life.

9. Invest in the most valuable computer in the world-your mind. Read books and listen to cds that expand your knowledge base. Learn new skills that will enhance you financially, mentally, and physically. Garner and utilize the knowledge available to better your life.
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Moment By Moment

I wise teacher of mine many years ago told me that life is nothing more than a series of moments and it is what we do with each of them that determines the quality of it. This brings up the question "what are you doing to make the most of this moment". At any given time, we can to focus on those activities which move our lives forward. The successful take control of their mindset in this way.

James Allen in his groundbreaking book As A Man Thinketh (available for free in the sidebar) alluded to the power of controlling our thoughts. He believed that success was determined by our thoughts. Since that time, many others followed the same concept. Think and Grow Rich by Napolean Hill is another such publication. Each moment is an opportunity to focus our attention on those details which really matter.

Tiger Woods has an outlook that really makes him a champion. His quest for the most wins of all time starts in his head. A few years ago this was exemplified in an interview. Woods stated that he goes into each golf tournament looking to win. Compare this with the guys who seek to "play well". Woods set the bar higher in his mind.

Jack Nicklaus, another golfing great, identified the power of the moment when he described his pre-shot routine. Nicklaus visualized the shot that was ahead of him turning out exactly how he wanted it. Notice he referred to the one he was about to hit. The putt that he made (or missed) on the last hole is irrelevant. The only thing that mattered was the shot before him.

What are you doing right now? Obviously, reading this article is helping you to understand this concept. However, what are you going to do when you are done with this? How are you going to apply this into your life? Too many try to live days, weeks, or years at a time. When one is doing this, he or she is missing the present. That person is skipping moments by looking ahead.

It is time to develop the mindset of a champion. Focus on those activities which are right in front of you. Planning is a wonderful tool. However, we cannot always be future focused. Tiger Woods is moving to the all time record by winning one tournament at a time. To do that, he hits one shot at a time. Concentrating on each moment will move us toward our goals. Begin to apply this in your life today.
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Beliefs Lead To Focus

I watched the Presidential Debate last night. It was interesting to notice the perspective that everyone took when watching the same thing. Both McCain and Obama did very well. According to the "experts", each scored points in certain areas. However, there was a diversity of opinion who did better.

Most felt that it was a close debate resulting in a tie. Yet there were others who felt that Obama won in a landslide. And still others believed it was McCain who dominated. It is critical to remember this is the "impartial" media who is producing these results. We are ignoring the statements made by the campaigns themselves since we know the bias.

So what does all this mean? I noticed the conclusion that one reached was a result of what that person chose to focus upon. When the part that covered the economy is isolated, Obama seems like the winner. At the same time, when one looks at foreign affairs, McCain pops out into the lead. The focus determines one's experience.

This goes a little deeper. What one focuses upon is based upon the beliefs that person carries. I noticed the ones who were Obama fans gave him a more favorable rating. The reverse is true for McCain. The beliefs about what is important to that person causes him/her to look at things differently than another with opposing beliefs. Therefore, it is the existing belief system that determines what one focuses upon.

Your life is the same way. If you are one who believes that life sucks, your focus will be a lot different than the person who believes that life is a gift. The first looks at all the negativity while the later concentrates on all that is good. Both are looking at the same thing, life, but getting two different results. To get another experience, we only need to change our focus. This is something that fairly easy at the conscious level. However, when our focus is unconscious, stemming from our beliefs, it is more difficult. It is here where we need to look at our belief system.

Most of our beliefs come from others. Rarely do people consciously choose a belief. We are products of our environment. It is common to see people in the same family carrying similar beliefs. They look at life the same way. "Sameness of thought" is a result of being around people with like minds. This is a natural occurrence. Take a look at your beliefs.

How do we go about this? The easiest way is to write down our beliefs. What do you think about life? How do you feel about your job or the people you work with? What is your religious/spiritual concepts? Get it all down on paper. Once you did that, ask yourself "why do I believe this" and "is this belief working for me". We often find that we believe something simply because that is what we were taught. If the belief no longer serves you, get rid of it. This will begin the process of changing your focus.
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The Power of a Magnifying Glass

As children, many of us lit things such as leaves and sticks on fire using a magnifying glass. For those who failed to undertake this worthwhile endeavor, one simply magnifies the rays of the sun to a point where they will set an object aflame. The magnifying glass is held over the item until the rays get hot enough to cause ignition. This is a childhood activity which has it's foundation based in science.

The magnifying glass is an example of how we can increase the power of something. Left on their own, the sun's rays are not hot enough to set something ablaze. Magnification is required to attain this result. The same holds true in life. Often, we do not have the power to accomplish something when operating in a natural way. Magnification is needed to attain the result we are seeking. Harnessing the power that comes along with magnification allows us to increase our overall productivity.

What is life's magnifying glass? How can we increase the power that already exists within us? The answer to these questions is focus. Focusing our attention is what allows us to tap into resources that presently reside within us. The more that we are able to focus all our attention on the task at hand, the better our results are. Concentration is a discipline that few mention. Yet, it is critical for long term success.

I like to compare focus with a firearm. To me, this offers a visual which makes it easy to understand. Consider the difference between a rifle and a shotgun. A rifle fires a bullet while a shotgun sprays pellets. The rifle gives the shooter precision even at long distances. The shotgun, on the other hand, creates quite a mess of whatever it hits at a close range. The power that it has diminishes as the distance gets further. Think of this as being effective in the short term. The rifle is more effective at a longer distance. The bullet, when aimed precisely, will kill. This is similar to a long term approach.

Focus is like using a rifle to get through life. Waking up in the morning with no plan on what we are going to do is like attacking life with a shotgun. It will create a mess for the short term while having little positive effect over the long haul. A lack of focus is what causes many to leave projects unfinished. It is also the trait which enables people to bounce from one activity to the next without any standardized approach. It is a hit or miss situation. There is no precision in the actions taken.

Those who attain long-term objectives do so because they concentrate on the outcome. Goal setting or planning is a part of this equation. One needs to sit down and map out where the desired destination is. After that, a plan for the achievement of that goal is formulated. Maintaining focus on the end result is what allows one to attain the heights of achievement that is wanted. The unsuccessful, if they take the time to establish an objective, lose focus whenever a distraction arises. One needs to develop the ability to return focus when the distraction is eliminated.

At present, I am writing this article. There are many potential distractions to take me away from my goal of completing this. The cat is here wishing to be fed a couple hours early. Sadly, like a child, he does not understand the word “no”. Technology provides some ever present obstacles such as email and instant messenger. Of course, there are also a few hundred billion websites for me to go peruse through. Yet, I am maintaining my attention on the goal of completing this article. My focus helps me to overcome the distractions which are not eliminated. This goal is reaching a successful conclusion due to my dedication to finish it. I am focused on the objective until it is done.

Remember the power of the magnifying glass. The sun, as powerful as it is, cannot set a stick ablaze on it's own. Add the power of magnification and that item will burst into flames in a few seconds. Magnify your powers by focusing on what you are presently working on. Maintain that concentration until you complete the task. This single action will increase your productivity substantially.

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A Life Of Choices

Life is nothing more than a series of choices. All day long we are making choices which affect the quality of our lives. This is not a novel concept to anyone. However, most choose to focus upon the major decisions which have a big impact on life. "To change your life, these choices must be made differently" is the common belief. Unfortunately, these aren't the selections which usually hinder people's lives. Instead, it is the day-to-day decisions which determine how life progresses.

Improvement is a daily activity. The best way to improve in any area of life is to make daily progress. Over time, this adds up to result in a major difference. Each decision will build on the previous so that after a few months, one literally thinks completely different. Many small changes do have an effect.

Here are three areas where you can make a difference in your life right now,

1. What you focus upon.

You choose what you focus upon at any moment. Are you thinking how awful things are? Do you look at how much work needs to be done? Or are you considering how fortunate you are? The difference in our focus affects how we approach our day. People often derive their attitude based upon what they focus upon. Dwell in the negative and that is what you will get.

2. How you spend your time.

Do you come home and plop in front of the television for hours at a time? This is a decision that affects your life. How you choose to spend your time, especially those non-working hours, is what reveals the life we are leading. Instead of spending time watching television, why not read a book that will enhance your knowledge? Perhaps the time would be more beneficial if you started a side business. Exercising as opposed to lounging around really has an impact on the life you lead.

3. Who you interact with.

Have you ever noticed how negative people associate with other negative people? Like seems to attract like. The quality of people that you are around has an impact of the success that you will experience. There are some who simply will always focus upon what is wrong. If you are one who seeks to move forward in life, these are the people who need to be removed. They are like a cancer that will strangle your progress. Be aware of who you choose to interact with.

Consider these areas when making you daily selections. We can improve in each of these incrementally to make a huge difference in the quality of our lives. Try this and notice how the "compounding" affect really takes hold. You will be amazed in a short period of time.
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A Rifle Versus A Shoutgun

Most know the difference between a rifle and a shotgun. A rifle is packed with a bullet that can be aimed with tremendous precision. It is the standard weapon used by snipers. A shotgun, on the other hand, is ideal for creating a mess of human flesh. In essence, a shotgun sprays a bunch of pellets into the person. The shot is not very accurate but will destroy anything it hits at close range.

Why do I refer to these different weapons? The reason is the analogy to life that they bring. Focus is what makes the difference between using a shotgun versus a rifle. People who lack the ability to concentrate are going through life trying to use the shotgun. If they hit anything, it is because they put so much out there. The results gotten will be more haphazard.

A more effective way to accomplish this "mission" is to use the rifle. Focus is the tool we use in this arena. When we concentrate our efforts, we access all the power that we have within us. Our actions are not deluded because we are all over the place. All the power is aimed at one specific area.

To take out multiple people, a sharpshooter needs to hit one person before moving onto the next. This is what produces the desired results. Life is the same for us. We need to aim our power on one activity until it is completed before moving onto the next. This is how we are effective.

Remember this analogy when you find yourself drifting aimlessly. At those times you are trying to use a shotgun when a rifle is the proper weapon. Concentrate your efforts so that all the power within you is aimed where you need it to be. This is how you can immediately increase your success.
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Three Steps To Powerful Focus

The ability to focus is a quality that is necessary to achieve a great amount of success. In this era, there are many distractions which can take someone away from what he/she is trying to accomplish. This can occur both in the long term, such as with one's overall life goal, or in the short-term. Remaining on course is crucial if one is to fulfill his or her potential.

Focus is a habit. Have you ever noticed how some seem to have the ability to concentrate regardless of what is going on around them? At the same time, there are those who get distracted if a piece of paper falls on the floor. Being able to focus until a task is completed is crucial for your success.

Much of my life was spent as one who was continually distracted. I often would jump from one activity to another. This caused me to realize a lower amount of productivity then I would normally have enjoyed. My inability to stay mentally focused upon a task caused untold harm in my life's progression.

Fortunately, I was able to conquer this tragic habit. It took a great deal of effort, but I was eventually able to harness the power that comes from concentration. To do this, I started small while working my way up to larger activities. The process was similar to that of working out. I was able to do more as time went by.

I found a simple three step process helped tremendously. Here is what you can do today to improve your ability to focus immediately.

1. Work off a list.

A list keeps one on track. Write down all that needs to be done in a given time (i.e. in the morning) so that you can see it. List the activities in order of importance. This will enable you to concentrate on those tasks which have the most effect on your results.

2. Remain working on that task until it is complete.

The world likes people who finish things. Nothing drives others crazier than an unfinished task. It has the ability to rob us mentally and emotionally. Start with the first item on the list and do not move to #2 until it is completed. This is rather difficult in the beginning for people who are accustomed to jumping around. However, the habit is critical to our future success.

3. Eliminate distractions.

In this era, we have so much technology that it can be destructive. The tendency to get loss our focus is increased because of instant messaging, email, social groups, etc... It is best to eliminate as many of these as possible. Turn off the television and the instant messenger. Only check your email at set hours of the day. Close the extra windows on your computer so that you can focus exclusively on what you are working on. This alone will increase your productivity by at least 20%.

These are the three steps that I used to overcome my inability to focus. Utilize them to develop the habit of powerful concentration. You will find that achieving what you set out to do is much easier when you have this capability.
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